Effects of One-Fifth, One-Third, and One-Half of the Bodyweight Lumbar Traction on the Straight Leg Raise Test and Pain in Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The prolapsed intervertebral disc (PIVD) at the lumbar spine is one of the most common causes of low back pain (LBP) affecting humans worldwide. Lumbar traction is widely used as a part of physiotherapeutic modalities for its treatment; however, reports on its effectiveness and dosage are conflicting. This study is aimed at comparing the acute effects of three traction forces on the straight leg raise (SLR) test and LBP intensity. A total of 45 (age 35.53 yrs., ±3.09) participants with 15 participants in each group were recruited for the study. Participants were divided into groups A, B, and C wherein traction forces equal to one-fifth, one-third, and one-half of their bodyweight were applied, respectively. SLR range of motion (ROM) and pain were examined before and immediately after the application of traction. Significant improvement was observed in SLR ROM in all three groups ( p < 0.05 ). However, for pain, significant improvement ( p < 0.05 ) was observed only in the group with one-half of bodyweight force. There was no significant difference ( p > 0.05 ) between the three groups for both variables. All three forces were equally effective in immediately improving SLR ROM in patients suffering from lumbar PIVD; however, pain improvement was observed with one-half of bodyweight only.

LUMBAR RADICULOPATHY MANAGED WITH SPINAL MOBILIZATION WITH LEG MOVEMENT: A CASE STUDY

Purpose. This report describes the case of prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc with radiating pain to leg managed with spinal mobilization with leg movement (SMWLM) combined with intermittent lumbar traction (ILT) and interferential therapy. Case presentation. Twelve treatment sessions carried out over 4 consecutive weeks thrice weekly consisting of spinal mobilization with leg movement, intermittent lumbar traction and interferential therapy. Outcome measures were documented by using Visual analog score (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and range of straight leg raise (SLR) score. After 4 weeks, VAS improved by 7 points and ODI score improved by 19 points. Range of straight leg raise also increased significantly from 46.30 to 68.40. Conclusions. Spinal mobilization with leg movement combined with intermittent lumbar traction and interferential therapy resulted in decrease in disability and pain as well as improvement in range of straight leg raise. Therefore, it may be used as a first line of treatment with massive disc prolapse before surgical intervention.

Effectiveness of mechanical traction in supine versus prone lying position for lumbosacral radiculopathy

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of mechanical traction in supine versus prone lying position for lumbosacral radiculopathy. Methods: A quasi experimental trial was conducted from April to September 2020 among sixty patients of chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy at Ibn-e-Siena Hospital, Multan. Participants were divided into two groups. Group-A (Supine) participants received lumbar traction in supine lying along with conventional treatment. Group-B (Prone) underwent the same treatment except the lumbar traction being applied in prone lying position. Participants were evaluated twice: at pre- treatment (week 0) and at the post treatment (week 2). Oswestry Disability Index and Numeric Pain Rating Scale were used as outcome measure. Data was analyzed on SPSS 23. Results: The mean (±S.D) age of the patients was 39±5.7 vs. 40±5.3 years in supine vs. prone group respectively. Mean ODI score was 25.2±6.13 vs. 26.0±6.26 at the start of treatment in supine vs. prone position respectively while it was 19.45±7.12 vs. 11.05±4.40 at end of treatment in supine vs. prone position respectively. Mean NPRS score was 7.73±1.23 vs. 7.67±0.96 at start of treatment in supine vs. prone position respectively while it was 4.63±0.89 vs. 3.13±0.90 at the end of treatment in supine vs. prone position respectively. Conclusion: Lumbar traction in prone lying position is more effective than lumbar traction in supine lying position for the treatment of chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4200 How to cite this:Khan RR, Riaz S, Rashid S, Sulman M. Effectiveness of mechanical traction in supine versus prone lying position for lumbosacral radiculopathy. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4200 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Effects of seated lumbar rotation manipulation in treating degenerative lumbar instability: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Degenerative lumbar instability (DLI) is a common disease that causes low back pain (LBP) in clinic. It is difficult to completely recover from DLI, and it occurs repeatedly, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. The epidemiological survey showed that 20–30% of low back pain was related to lumbar instability. Increasing evidence shows that seated lumbar rotation manipulation can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients with low back pain. The primary aim of this clinical trial is to observe the intervention effect of seated lumbar rotation manipulation on DLI patients. Method/design A total of 60 participants with DLI will be recruited and randomly allocated into the seated lumbar rotation manipulation group (the intervention group) or lumbar traction in supine position group (the control group) in this prospective, outcome assessor-blind, two-arm randomized controlled clinical trial. The treatment of the two groups lasted for 3 weeks, and the manipulation of the intervention group would be carried out once every other day, three times a week, a total of 9 times; the control group would be given lumbar traction once a day, five times a week, a total of 15 times. JOA (Japanese Orthopaedic Association) and VAS (Visual Analogue Scales) scores will be recorded as the primary outcomes before the treatment and at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 15th, 17th, and 19th days after treatment and follow-up visit at the first, third, and sixth months. JOA efficacy evaluation standard will be used to evaluate the overall efficacy as the secondary outcomes. Discussion The results of this prospective, randomized controlled trial will provide a clinical evidence for the treatment of DLI with seated lumbar rotation manipulation. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000032017. Registered on 18 April 2020, Prospective registration.

Effect Of Cupping Massage and Modified Spinal Decompression Therapy With Exercise Therapy in Neck Radiculopathy Syndrome

Cervical radiculopathy Syndrome (CRS) is a common neuro-musculo-skeletal disorder causing pain and disability. Manual therapy interventions including cervical traction with other treatment modalities have been advocated to decrease pain and disability caused by cervical radiculopathy (CR). Al-Qudah & AL-Jazzazi (2021) conducted a new method of Spinal Decompression Therapy (SDT) in patients with Chronic Lumbar Disc Herniation (CLDH) which includes Combination of Lumbar Traction With Cervical Traction (CLTCT) as one intervention. Despite of that this new method clinically reduces pain and disability more effectively than the conventional types of Traction, CLTCT method was not previously used in CR patients nor with Cervical Disc Herniation (CDH). The clinical effectiveness of this new method with other treatment modalities in patients with CRS was not approved yet. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the presented work is to identify the effectiveness of rehabilitative program on patients with Cervical Radiculopathy, by (15) sessions for (4) Weeks. The suggested Rehabilitative program consisted of: 1.Supine Soft Full Back, Shoulders and Neck Cupping Massage (CM) for (10) minutes, 2.CLTCT: Combined Lumbar Traction with Cervical Traction as one intervention for (20) minutes, 3.Gradual Therapeutic Exercise Package of Neck Stretching and Strengthening Exercise for approximately (15) minutes. METHODS: In this study, Five outdoor male patients had accepted to participate and were randomly chosen from Al-Karak Governmental Hospital, All subjects applied the proposed rehabilitative program. The results were analyzed using the SPSS system. RESULTS: indicates that there was statistically significant difference between the pre and post measurements in favor of the post measurements in terms of Pain, Disability. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that the use of proposed rehabilitative program has a positive effect on patients with Cervical Radiculopathy.

Impact Of Combined Lumbar Traction with Cervical Traction in Chronic Lumbar Disc Herniation

Traction Is Part Of The Evidence Based Manual Physical Therapy Management Due To Its Mechanical Nature. The Efficacy Of Lumbar Traction (Lt) Has Been Established, Lt As The Most Used Method Of Spinal Decompression Therapy (Sdt) Reduces The Intradiscal Pressure And Vertically Increases The Intervertebral Space And Restore Disc Height Allowing Nutrients And Oxygen Supply To The Disc. While Lt Had Recently Been Used As A Conservative Treatment For Chronic Lumbar Disc Herniation (Cldh), Combined Lumbar Traction With Cervical Traction (Cltct) As One Intervention Which Has Been Suggested By (Al-Qudah, M.K) Was Used As A Part Of Rehabilitative Program In Patients With Cldh. Therefore, The Effectiveness Of Cltct Separately At Any Other Interventions Remains Absolutely Unclear And Uncertain. Objective: The Aim Of The Presented Work Is To Identify The Effectiveness Of Cltct [(Positional Sustained Lumbar Traction (Pslt) Combined With Mechanical Sustained Cervical Traction (Msct) As One Intervention] On Patients With Moderate (L4-L5) (L5-S1) Cldh, And To Compare Cltct With Traditional Mechanical Lumbar Traction (Mlt). Methods: In This Study, Twelve Outdoor Male Patients Diagnosed With Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Mri), Had Accepted To Participate The Study. They Were Chosen From Al-Karak Governmental Hospital, From 20th Of December To 1st February 2021. Subjects Were Divided Randomly In To Two Groups, Experimental Group (N=6) Performed Cupping Massage (Cm), Cltct And Core Stabilization Exercise (Cse), While The Control Group (N=6) Performed Cm, Mlt And Cse. All Subjects Were Advised To Perform The Cse Three Times Daily As A Home Program In Addition To One Set During Each Session Under The Therapist Supervision. All Subjects Had Exposed (18) Sessions For (6) Weeks. The Results Were Analyzed Using The Spss System. Results: Indicates That There Was Statistically Significant Difference Between The Pre And Post Measurements In Both Groups In Favor Of The Post Measurements In Term Of Pain And Disability. Also Results Indicate That There Was Statistically Significant Difference Between The Groups In Favor Of Experimental Group. Conclusions: The Present Study Demonstrates That The Use Of Cltct Has A Positive Effect On Patients With Cldh More Than Mlt.

Short-Term Effect of Lumbar Traction on Intervertebral Discs in Patients with Low Back Pain: Correlation between the T2 Value and ODI/VAS Score

Objective The effect of lumbar traction on low back pain (LBP) patients is controversial. Our study aims to assess changes in the intervertebral disc water content after lumbar traction using T2 mapping and explore the correlation between changes in the T2 value and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)/visual analogue scale (VAS) score. Design Lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging was performed, and the ODI/VAS scores were recorded in all 48 patients. Midsagittal T2-weighted imaging and T2 mapping were performed to determine the Pfirrmann grade and T2 value. Then, the T2 values were compared between pre- and posttraction, and the correlation between changes in the T2 value and ODI/VAS scores were examined. Results In the traction group, the changes in the nucleus pulposus (NP) T2 values for Pfirrmann grades II-IV and the annulus fibrosus (AF) T2 values for Pfirrmann grade II were statistically significant after traction ( P < 0.05). Changes in the mean NP T2 value of 5 discs in each patient and in the ODI/VAS score showed a strong correlation ( r = 0.822, r = 0.793). Conclusion T2 mapping can be used to evaluate changes in the intervertebral disc water content. Ten sessions of traction resulted in a significant increase in quantitative T2 measurements of the NP in discs for Pfirrmann grade II-IV degeneration and remission of the patients’ clinical symptoms in the following 6 months. Changes in the mean NP T2 value of 5 discs in each patient were strongly correlated with changes in the ODI/VAS score.